I have sensitive skin. I wake up some days with skin rashes and no idea why! Why does my skin betray me so when all I do is love it?? Because of this, it is super important I use the best, gentle cleansers for my sensitive skin.
I don’t know about you…but who has time to use a make-up remover, plus a cleanser every night? Not me. I want my cleanser to take my make-up off. All of it. Long-stay lipstick and mascara; I want it gone. I want it all removed without having to use a cotton pad, without rubbing my eyes, and without the risk of a product stinging my eyes. And you know what…this is not too much to ask! I’ve rounded up seven of the best cleansers for sensitive skin that actually remove your makeup.
Cleansing balms. What are your thoughts on these? For me – I was not a fan until I learned the proper cleansing balm + cleansing cloth technique. I was using them wrong and hated the results.
So let’s first chat about how to use a cleansing balm:
Instead of applying to a wet face like you do with most other cleansers, you scoop or pump a small amount into your dry hands and then ‘warm’ the cleanser between your hands until it softens. When it has ‘melted’ you gently smooth the balm all over your dry face and eyes/eye makeup. Then, using a hot, wet muslin or microfibre cloth, press and hold the cloth over your face for five seconds. Rinse your cloth and repeat – making sure the cloth is hot. By the third rinse, your makeup has vanished and your skin is clean. The final step I like to do is to run the cloth under very cold water, then press and hold on my face for five seconds. Using a cloth like this is great as it also acts as a gentle exfoliator and improves skin circulation.
Now, if you double-cleanse, a balm is your first step, followed by a water-based cleanser to get that next level of clean.
This all might sound like quite the process (you might be saying, ‘M, who has got the time?’), but after the first week, I got used to it and now enjoy this time to pamper myself.
My two favourite, gentle cleansing balms are below:
Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser | $38
Hypoallergenic and designed for sensitive skin – this hydrating, lightweight cleanser is loaded with hyaluronic acid, marine algae, kiwi, and aloe to remove makeup, soothe skin, and prevent moisture loss. Plus – there is no rinsing required – just apply to your dry skin then use a textured face cloth and watch the make-up disappear. Skin is left soft and hydrated, never tight or dry. Safe for all skin types, especially sensitive and dry skin. I love how easy it is to use and how comfortable my skin feels when I use it – never tight or dry.
Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm | $72
Now part of the Shopper’s Drug Mart ‘Thoughtful Choices’ collection due to its conscious and ethical production and composition – welcome the ultimate multi-tasker. What does this balm not do?? It’s probably easier for me to list what it DOES do:
- Exfoliates while cleansing – Arriving in style with an Organic Muslin Face Cloth to gently exfoliate while it cleans your skin. It easily removes all makeup and SPF
- An intensive nourishing leave-on treatment – Apply WRBB, and leave it on for 20-30 minutes OR you can sleep with it on when you want an extra little hydration boost
- Sticks down flyaways – use this like a gel – you can tame rogue brows back in line, or smooth out updos
- Hydrates the kisser – treat this like a luxe lip balm
- A bit of glow – It highlights the top of your cheekbones for a naturally dewy look
- A fragrance balm – the SMELL!! Heaven. I can’t describe – familiar, yet alluring and fresh. Pop it onto your pulse points for a delish scent all day
While I like to use a balm cleanser first, I sometimes double cleanse, but often times just use one of the below cleansers by itself. They are all nicely priced and easily found here in Canada.
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Cream Cleanser | $17.99
Speaking of Canada, this daily foaming cream cleanser is made by Indeed Laboratories- a Toronto-based, female-led company! It dissolves all traces of makeup and leaves skin super soft. Papaya enzymes and roselle flower extracts help to gently exfoliate, clean, resurface, and hydrate skin. Using a coconut-based surfactant, this cream cleanser dissolves and removes makeup and dirt without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Plus – being packed H.A and grape seed oil (a great antioxidant) this cleanser replenishes skin moisture. It leaves my skin soft, smooth, and balanced feeling – never dry.
Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser | $34
Biossane is known for their sugarcane-derived Squalane and their brand new cleanser also contains this wonder ingredient. This gentle foaming gel cleanser does not strip the skin and leaves it soft and hydrated. The gentle but powerful amino acid complex breaks down dirt, while the aloe calms and soothes. Moringa extract removes all remaining dirt and debris. This new cleanser is great for all skin types, I find my skin feels deeply hydrated when I use it regularly, and it contains no alcohol, sulphates (even though it foams up nicely), and it is vegan.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for normal to oily skin | $19
Cult-status for a reason – the CeraVe Foaming Facial cleanser is super gentle, super effective, and super reasonably-priced for the quantity.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser was developed with dermatologists to deeply cleanse without over-stripping or leaving skin feeling tight and dry. Packed with ceramides (essential for healthy skin), my fave – hyaluronic acid (which attracts hydration to the skin), and calming niacinamide – it helps restore the skin’s barrier so your skin feels soothes.
Alya Skin Foaming Micellar Cleanser | $19.99
New to Shopper’s Drug Mart, Alya is finally available to the masses! I was first introduced to this Australian brand about one year ago and have been enjoying their foaming micellar face cleanser ever since (as you can tell from the photo. I keep it in the shower). Founded in 2018 in Australia by best friends James Hachem and Manny Barbas, when they were both just 22 years old.
Now, micelles draw out dirt and oil without drying the skin while the Watermelon Seed Oil, Essential Rose Oil, and Witch Hazel work together to rejuvenate, hydrate and cleanse the skin. Alya Skin’s whole product collection is vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA approved. All ingredients are ethically sourced in Australia and the products are free of parabens and other harsh chemicals.
Last, but not least – a great cleanser from one of my favourite, trusted brands for sensitive skin – Avène Eau Thermale.
Eau Thermale Avène Tolérance Extremely gentle cleanser | $29.99
Specifically made for sensitive skin, this luxe cleansing and make-up removing lotion contains 99% natural origin ingredients. It effectively cleanses and removes make-up, impurities and dirt – all without irritating the skin or drying it out. Fragrance and preservative-free – I like this cleanser’s gel texture and how soft and calm my skin feels after use. I highly recommend this for people who, like me, have very reactive skin.
And that is it! All my favourite gentle facial cleansers. I’d love to hear what your favourite gentle cleansers are!
Follow me, @immfab, for more first looks and reviews.
